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Topic: Headlights on/gauges off?!?!?

in Forum: C3 Electrical


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Headlights on/gauges off?!?!? (1/9)
 11/27/07 5:44pm
bgilt
Former Member

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Royse City, TX - USA

Vette(s):
1978 L48, p/s, p/w/ factory ac car factory manual trans has a 350 crate engine w/260hp, but also have original which may be rebuilt- we also have a 76 w/ a 454, and 74 350 in various stages of being rebuilt, plus an 86 and an 02....


Joined: 11/16/2007
Posts: 62

OK- so I'm learning what you all have been saying.... but it will all work soon. Car is home, but when I turn on the headlights- which work wonderfully by the way- 3/4 of the gauges stop working.  I'm guessing its electrical- I dunno.... has anyone else had it happen?  Any ideas?  PLEASE!!  Oh- and also- front turn signal doesn't work- back is fine, but right front won't do anything- not a bulb, not the switch or back wouldn't work- help...............
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Headlights on/gauges off?!?!? (2/9)
 11/27/07 9:18pm
RedwingvetteLifetime Member
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Waterford, MI - USA

Vette(s):
1973 Red coupe


Joined: 9/13/2002
Posts: 1735

Sounds like a ground issue. I had to add a ground wire to my gage cluster because when I turned on the headlights the gages would go nuts. The issue was the ground wire had been disconnected by the PO when he installed a after-market radio. I added a ground wire to the gage cluster and no more issues.

Redwingvette2007-11-27 18:18:51

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73 coupe L48, Flat-top pistons, Performer RPM Heads, Crane Cam and roller rockers, Holley 650 vac sec. Performer intake,
3.55 gear BTO 200-4R trans,
Leather seats, Seatbelt Plus 3point seatbelts, Pioneer CD player
Magnaflow Exhuast System

Dewitt radiator and dual electric fans
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Headlights on/gauges off?!?!? (3/9)
 11/27/07 9:37pm
shelly 81
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Saint Charles, MO - USA

Vette(s):
1981 dark blue metalic St.Louis built.


Joined: 11/20/2007
Posts: 4

I have an 81 wich I believe is the same wiring. I had a problem that when I turned the headlights on the gauge cluster would go out(not the speedo & tach). I found an open trace on the cicuit card from the plug to the temp gauge. Put in a jumper and fixed it. Check the fingers on the cicuit card to make sure they aren't touching. Let me know what u find cause info is priceless! shelly 81

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Headlights on/gauges off?!?!? (4/9)
 11/27/07 9:57pm
bgilt
Former Member

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Royse City, TX - USA

Vette(s):
1978 L48, p/s, p/w/ factory ac car factory manual trans has a 350 crate engine w/260hp, but also have original which may be rebuilt- we also have a 76 w/ a 454, and 74 350 in various stages of being rebuilt, plus an 86 and an 02....


Joined: 11/16/2007
Posts: 62

Thank you guys sooooooooo much!!! I will check out both options tommorrow in the daylight and get back to you- again- thank you!!
Headlights on/gauges off?!?!? (5/9)
 11/27/07 11:39pm
lukesvetteLifetime Member
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HOWELL, NJ - USA

Vette(s):
1979, Targa Blue (72 Color), Pace Car rear spoiler, L88 hood, Dark blue factory interior, 525HP 406, HD 700R4, 370 gears,Steeroids, composite rear spring, TT IIs wrapped in T/A Radials.


Joined: 5/18/2004
Posts: 6812

The printed circuits are notorious for separating. You can get them at best prices from Wilcox Corvette on ebay if that's what it turns out to be.Thumbs%20Up
Headlights on/gauges off?!?!? (6/9)
 11/28/07 12:02am
Adams' AppleLifetime Member
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Duncanville, TX - USA

Vette(s):
#1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas


Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20129

All of the above issues will be a connector, or loose ground.
The single turn sig not working, if you know the bulb is good, could also be a bad ground. The sockets can develop a condition known as being "ground-challenged", whereby the ground wire that goes into the socket can become unsoldered, or corroded. Try wiggling the wires on the socket with the signal on...
Does the park light work on that side? How about the hazzards for that side?

And...it can actually be the t-sig switch. The circuits are separated in the switch...this keeps the front t-sigs from glowing when the brakes are on.
I'd look for a bad ground at the socket, tho...that's the most common problem.

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Headlights on/gauges off?!?!? (7/9)
 11/28/07 10:11pm
dwright
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Victor, NY - USA

Vette(s):
2004 Commemorative Edition Coupe, Auto w/HUD. 13K miles in 2015. Sold 1982 Red Coupe


Joined: 7/12/2004
Posts: 6836

Are you sure the bulb works? Did you swap front and rear or side to side to check?

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Headlights on/gauges off?!?!? (8/9)
 11/29/07 5:05pm
6880Mike
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Horse Cave, KY - USA

Vette(s):
1968 convertible; 1980 L-82


Joined: 10/22/2007
Posts: 488

No dash lights could indicate a bad rheostat in the headlight switch.  Have you tried turning the headlight knob with the light on?  Checked the IP light fuse?
 
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Headlights on/gauges off?!?!? (9/9)
 12/1/07 6:11pm
bgilt
Former Member

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Royse City, TX - USA

Vette(s):
1978 L48, p/s, p/w/ factory ac car factory manual trans has a 350 crate engine w/260hp, but also have original which may be rebuilt- we also have a 76 w/ a 454, and 74 350 in various stages of being rebuilt, plus an 86 and an 02....


Joined: 11/16/2007
Posts: 62

its a loose ground.  Hazzards work, switcehed bulbs, dash doesn't loose lights- just some gauges stop......  its gettin there.... THank you all sooooooo much for the help- I just want it all done already (-:  and now... for the latest- my suspension seems to be getting really loose.  YIPPEE.  I love this car- but I think I'll love it even more when EVERYTHING WORKS.....for at least a few weeks...lol
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